August 24, 2006

Plan B - Ability To Surprise Intact

The Food and Drug Administration will approve an application, possibly today, that would make the emergency contraceptive Plan B available without a prescription to women 18 and older, say sources long involved with the issue.

…and President Bush is quoted basically agreeing with this long-overdue over-the-counter plan.

“I believe Plan B ought to be — ought to require a prescription for minors, is what I believe. And I support Andy’s decision.”

“Andy” is incoming FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. And the second this happened, Anti-Abortion groups went nuts.

I applaud the president for backing this, and actually expanding freedom. And I think it was a smart move for a number of reasons:

Senators Clinton and Murray had vowed to block von Eschenbach’s confirmation, and this decision clears that hurdle.

Bush is not very popular right now, and so his coattails are not very useful to conservative Republicans trying to get re-elected. The approval of this drug allows conservative congressfolk to go to their conservative districts and wave this issue around as a reason that a conservative voice is needed in congress.

It gives people something to talk about other than the Iraq war.

Uncharacteristically good move, and a politically smart move. Remember, the political IQ of the Bush administration surges in election years.